Although previously thought to be the 5 temples of Shaolin; Henan, Fukien, Wudang, Kwantung and Emai Shan, it is more likely that these 5 temples had strong connections with Shaolin and Buddhism

  1. Kwantung may have been associated with Shaolin because of Bodhidharma; built in his honour by his disciples.,/li>
  2. Fukien was actually a Shaolin Temple (area) there due to the efforts on behalf of the Tang Emperor.
  3. Wutang may have been linked through the practice of Animal Kung Fu and Shang Sang Feng; but no records were found to suggest that it was part of the Shaolin order.
  4. Emei (O Mei) Shan did contribute to the revitalization of Buddhism which would have had a direct effect on Shaolin and Shaolin would have sent monks there to study. Artifacts suggest that there may even have been a Shaolin linked temple on Emai Shan around the 2nd closing of Shaolin at the end of the Ming Dynasty, but it was not a Shaolin Complex.